Luke Dempsey believes Sunday's Leinster SFC semi-final represents Westmeath's best ever chance of finally getting the Meath monkey off their back.

Dempsey, who was in charge of Westmeath when they suffered heart-breaking replay defeats to the Royals in 2001 and 2003, feels Tom Cribbin's charges have what it takes to give the Lake County that elusive championship win over their neighbours. 

"This is the best chance ever to get to a Leinster final because it is a Meath team with very few household names unlike that period in 2001 to 2004," the Rochfortbridge-based schoolteacher told the Irish Independent.

"They also have a lot of injuries, they are struggling to find a strong midfield pairing, and this is a Meath team that has struggled through several matches in the league, and against Wicklow in the last round.

"So I think this is a fantastic chance for Westmeath given that their confidence is high. Tom Cribbin has done a marvellous job in restoring that belief and we have a great chance."

Dempsey, who nearly became Meath manager at the end of 2008, is currently managing St. Loman's who supply Paul Sharry, Shane Dempsey, John Heslin and David Whelan to the Westmeath team.

"Having watched the lads, I feel they are getting better and they are finishing strongly in matches which is a very good sign. Tom Cribbin has really steadied the ship and has used his man-management experience to regain confidence among the senior squad," he continued.

"Sunday will be a tough test, but I think we are improving in every match and we have every chance of winning."

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